Within the framework of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia”  (SEIRA) project, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Project Manager and representatives of the UN World Food Program met with Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan, Deputy Governor Vahan Zaroyan, and First Deputy Head of Gavar Community, Grigor Dashtoyan on December 11.

During the meetings, Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the objectives and the main direction of the project, which aims to improve the capacities of the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and local vulnerable population to ensure the transition from a purely humanitarian approach to long-term development.

Considering that the enlarged communities of Gavar, Vardenis, and Chambarak of Gegharkunik region are included in the project, the necessity for collecting and verifying initial and baseline data was emphasized in terms of effectively meeting the needs of target groups.

The Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan expressed the readiness of the regional administration to support the implementation of the project and emphasized the urgency of initiatives aimed at ensuring food and agricultural security in order to improve the livelihoods of the region’s population. The governor highly valued the long-term partnership and positive impact of the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and the UN World Food Program in the region.

An agreement was reached between the parties on cooperation and further steps within the framework of the project.

The “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project fosters socio-economic integration by improving food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, and empowering both refugees and host communities in Armenia, promoting resilience and economic growth through agricultural and business development.

The SEIRA project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and the UN World Food Programme.

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a two-day workshop on “Structure processes and implement procedures in dual vocational education and training” was held in Yerevan on December 5-6.

The workshop was attended by DUAL-responsible teachers from MAVETA partner colleges. It was conducted by HAFL expert Johannes Brunner.

The two-day workshop aimed to transfer fundamental skills to the instructors coordinating the students’ practical work in the company, including selecting appropriate companies, organizing legal and contractual relationships, performing assignments in the workplace, and providing targeted support for the learning process.

The course provided the opportunity for college DUAL- responsible teachers to develop their skills in conflict resolution and guiding students through the DUAL education process, as well as in effectively assessing the skills and employability acquired by students.

The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.
The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and HEKS/EPER with the involvement of SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).